Objects of Desire: 100 Brooklyn Design Objects We Love

This is going to sound biased, but I think Brooklyn designers make some damn good things. Even though I am not totally sold on the idea that there is a definite Brooklyn aesthetic, each of the following designers managed to take a basic object—everything from a chair to a coaster—and made it into something special, and reflective of their own signature look. Sometimes that meant turning vegetables into pendant lamps or creating a functional clock out of two Band-aid-esque strips. And while it would be impossible to highlight every cleverly designed object in the borough, here are the 100 design objects that manage to combine the conventional and unusual in a very Brooklyn way.

Turquoise + White Geo VaseRabbit & Dragon, $55
Anyone who thinks a vase should only be a cylinder has never seen these one-of-a-kind geometric vessels.

Cactus ChairThislexik, contact for priceThe cactus chair, and really all of Thislexik pieces, is a functional art piece that is meant to strike a conversation for those who see it—and sit on it.

Odds & Ends NecklaceLOCKHART WRKS, $50
Though the name and components—a brass spike, bone, wood, and horn—suggest something haphazard, this asymmetrical design is both unique and beautifully constructed.

Ladies Silk ScarfLeah Reena Goren, $60
The Pink Ladies get a twist, one that is less musical and more full-frontal, in this versatile silk-twill accessory.

Plant HiveStephane Hubert Design, $900
You can never go wrong with a ceramic planter, especially one propped up with a stand made of repurposed Coney Island boardwalk planks.

Letterpress Glove BookmarkSesame Letterpress, $5
Never lose your place again with this handmade illustration of a vintage glove bookmark.

Ngong Moyen PouchKatrin Reifeiss, $79
Like the name suggests, this hand-dyed clutch gets its name from the Ngong Hills of Nairobi, Kenya.

Microplane Cheese KnifeChelsea Miller Knives, $350
Made from the spalted maple tree on artisan Chelsea Miller’s childhood farm in Vermont and high carbon steel repurposed from a horseshoe rasp, this cheese knife is perfect for all cheese cutting and grating needs.

Cradle Ear CuffLady J Jewelry, $68
Get cuffed in the right way with this bronze cradle hoop cuff earring that’s chained to a simplistic circle stud.

Brooklyn Wine ToteMaptote, $16
Sometimes you just need a nifty tote that lets everyone know you enjoy the nicer things in life, and that you’re probably going to booze out once you reach your destination.

Pickle Print Dish TowelThe Neighborgoods, $18
This dish towel is the perfect gift for the chef in your life who is a big ~dill~ in the kitchen.

Oxblood All Over Deluxe WalletTGT, $46
“Keep it simple and keep it tight” with a TGT wallet that encourages you to reduce the clutter from your pocket.

Flora and FaunaTwig Terrariums, $150
Bring the forest into your home with your own twig terrarium, equipped with your very own faux baby deer.

Brass Fringe EarringsRama Rejman, $80
Influenced by the linear patterns of the Art Deco Movement, these elegant yet edgy earrings are the perfect accent to any outfit.

The Opal DoubleOlivia Kane, $245
So mood rings still exist, and our feelings about this news is a cross between blue (happy) and lilac (excited).

Rio CuffNettie Kent, $194
The turquoise in this cuff might come from the Kingman mine in Arizona, but you’ll feel like an Egyptian queen with a bracelet that even Queen Zar herself would wear.

The Potters MoccasinBU-KIN, $60
It seems kind of bizarre to put anything but socks on babies feet since all they do is crawl, but look how cute these are.

Book BenchSpacio Terreno, Email isa@spacioterreno.com for price
If you’re inclined to stack books in a corner without any structure or reason, like we do in the office [Ed. note: Don’t reveal all our secrets!], then you might want to consider adding the book bench to your unorganized life.

Moon Leather CoastersLeif, $38
The only crescent marks found on your table will be from these gorgeous leather moon coasters.

Double Pronged Bamboo SkewerAHeirloom, $20
Designed off the shape of antique hairpins, these bamboo skewers will have you making kebabs for a month straight.

Double Dutch Jump RopeMateriall, $175
Double Dutch might be old school and maybe you haven’t done it since you were in fourth grade, but Materiall is bringing it back with this limited edition jump rope set and we suggest your start jumping.

Modern Love EarringsSkylar Man, $4,400
A good pair of earrings should not only dazzle, but be able to double as a weapon. These fit that description perfectly.

The Crosby Mini-ClutchMaria Castelli Designs, $180
We don’t know why exactly, but mini-version of anything is always better. Case in point: mini M&Ms, and also this bite-size version of the Crosby Clutch.

The Frances WalletLolafalk, $108
OK, so having a brightly colored wallet is attention grabbing but crime is still low af so if you’re all about aesthetics then a Lolafalk wallet is worth the risk. Which, really, is pretty minimal.

Beacon BenchesStefan Rurak, Email stefan@stefanrurak.com for prices
One positive thing post-Superstorm Sandy is these benches that were made from fallen sugar maple trees rescued after the storm.

Turntable Dub BoxGoodwood NYC, $50
Amplify your music and your life with this wireless dub box that projects high quality sounds from your phone.

HIDE n SEEKThink Fabricate
It’s all smoke and mirrors when it comes to this mounted cabinet that cleverly conceals it contents in plain sight.

Mush-Lume Trumpet PendantDanielle Trofe, $750
This mushroom-cum-pendant lamp is good for the fungus-lovers among us.

Wooden Beer MugBrooklyn Butcher Blocks, $70
Drink like a Viking with these wooden Beer Steins that are designed to make getting inebriated way easy, the Viking-way.

Walnut Keepsake BoxBrooklyn Bowls & Furniture, $950
When it comes to stowing treasured jewelry and mementos the capsule should be as elegant and irreplaceable as the items it carries. This fits the bill.

Black Scribble Crossbody BagThread & Paper, $46
This handmade silkscreened bag is perfect for the person on the go.

Wedge LampLean-To Lights, $190
We’ve grown tired of the basic lamp with linen shade and pole, and that’s where the wedge lamp comes in with its solid maple triangular shape that gives us a break from the traditional.

Spike Small PlanterLittle Bear Pots, $78
We’re not going to tell you what you should and shouldn’t plant in this spiky planter, but the prickly features of cacti complements its design really well.

Ferns Tea TowelAmelie Mancini, $22
This might be a stretch but since this tea towel is printed with a moss-green ink and moss, the plant, acts like a sponge, does this mean that this tea towel is perfect for soaking up messes? Sure, why not. Also, it’s pretty.

Cable Staple Earringberoep, $72
We love how simple and elegant this staple earring looks in the ear.

Sticker ClockGood Thing, $10
Like a sticker, the Sticker Clock adheres to a wall with two fabric strips without leaving behind an adhesive residue.

Bark RingCarrie Bilbo, $200
Tree lovers rejoice, you can now carry a piece of bark with you wherever you go. One, we must add, that wasn’t stripped off a tree. So you can still feel environmentally friendly!

New Moon StudsClaus Jewelry, $195
Celebrate the next new moon, which is December 11, with these minimalist studs.

CoraCradle, $75
The Cora ring is a must-buy for those of you obsessed with the stackable ring look.

Ceramic SpoonsCorPottery, $18
If you’re not using these ceramic spoons for all your serving, ladling and coffee needs, then you’re not living right.

Whirlpool PendantConsider the Wildflowers, $50
Whether it’s rested in the front or draped along the back, this whirlpool necklace is both delicate and elegant.

Cuyo/Nomad West LongTamika Rivera, $160
Made with new, repurposed, and recycled material, the Nomad West Long necklace is ideal for those who are looking for a unique, layered necklace.

Mint RugAELFIE, $249
Is it weird that we want to curl up in this fluffy sheepskin throw? Nope! It isn’t. Cozy is always cool.

Todd Snyder x PF Flyers Rambler HiThe Brooklyn Circus, $160
Ouigi Theodore, owner of The Brooklyn Circus, is the epitome of cool. So we can only assume that you can get a shred of his likeness in these PF Flyers.

Kitten Mitten Supreme/Rose GoldCatbird, $390
It isn’t a secret that we’re obsessed with Catbird. So while we list this beautiful kitten mitten, we really think you should just shop their entire collection.

Watercolor Temporary TattoosLovewild Design, $6
You don’t need to get Brooklyn tattooed across your forehead to show your love when a temporary tattoo of the borough would also suffice.

Jenny Chain + Blush Jade HeadpieceKerry Ann Stokes, $92Why hide your glow behind your bridal veil, when you can radiant on your special day with this elegant headpiece. And, honestly, you don’t need to be getting hitched to wear this around. It’s just that beautiful.

You’re My Everything Bagel PosterFishcake Design, $25
New Yorkers and bagels go hand in hand. And what better way to show the connection than a bagel pun?

Jules ThrowCaroline Z Hurley, $140
From table cloth to wrap dress, this throw can be anything you can think of.

Swatch JumpsuitDusen Dusen, $282
Are you really into design if you’re not wearing sections of different swatches on your clothing? Nope. So wear this with pride.

Twin Peaks HatLola Hats, $310
It can be hard to find a flattering hat that makes you feel confident whenever your wear it, that is, if you haven’t worn the Twin Peaks hat.

Throne 1.5x Brooklyn WatchThrone, $500
The founders of Throne understand the hustle it takes to live in Brooklyn that’s why they made a sleek and bold watch to support that lifestyle.

Bound NecklaceSight Unseen, $180
When it comes to statement pieces we believe that you don’t need to go over the top to stand out, a detail that Sight Unseen not only understands but has perfected.

Cracked Moon NecklaceButternut Brooklyn, $45
Usually when things crack or break they lose their value, but that’s not the case for this chunk of beautiful finished walnut, which adds inestimable worth to this beautiful and affordable necklace.